Vagabond Is Pouring Into the Ville
Five years, a whole lot of coffee, and a mission to bring Fayetteville's coffee community together. Vagabond Café is celebrating its anniversary with something new for the Ville.
There's something brewing in Downtown Fayetteville, and this time, it's bringing a little friendly competition to the mix.
I recently caught up with Nancy Ramos, owner of Vagabond Café, to chat about something she's been working on: The Fifth Pour Latte Art Throwdown, happening Saturday, November 7.
And what better place to talk coffee than over a cup at Vagabond? As we talked about the upcoming event, our conversation naturally turned into something bigger: the growth of Fayetteville's coffee scene, the importance of community, and what it really means to create a space where people feel connected.
For Nancy, this event isn't just about celebrating five years of Vagabond's brick-and-mortar location on Hay Street. It's about bringing an experience to Fayetteville that coffee lovers in larger cities have been enjoying for years.
Why Not Fayetteville?
If you're unfamiliar with a latte art throwdown, think of it as a friendly competition where baristas go head-to-head, showing off their skills by creating designs with steamed milk and espresso. Judges select the best pour, and the competition continues until one barista takes the crown. These events are
pretty common in larger cities, but Fayetteville hasn't had one of its own. Until now.
Photos taken by Nancy Ramos
Nancy explained that she's seen throwdowns happening in places like Greensboro, Wilmington, and Atlanta, and thought, why couldn't we do the same thing here?
"Just because we're in Fayetteville doesn't mean that it will stop us from actually having one here," she told me.
"We've done five years. Come join us and do this event that exists in bigger cities, but we want to bring it to Fayetteville because we deserve it."
I love that perspective because it's something we talk about often at FAYNC Magazine. Fayetteville has the talent, the creativity, and the people. Sometimes, it's simply about someone deciding to make something happen and that's exactly what Nancy is doing.
There's an Art to This Coffee Thing
Now, I enjoy a good latte, but our conversation reminded me just how much goes into making one.
Nancy explained that latte art is about more than creating a pretty design on top of your coffee. It takes practice, precision, and an understanding of how to properly steam and texture milk.
"I really hope that it changes the mindset for those that say that coffee is just coffee, and it's not hard, we're just pushing buttons. No, it's a craft, and it is a skill."
And she's absolutely right. Behind every cup is someone learning, practicing, and perfecting their craft. The Fifth Pour gives those baristas a chance to show off that creativity while giving the rest of us a closer look at what goes into the drinks we enjoy.
Whether you're a working barista, a former barista, or someone who's been practicing latte art at home, Nancy wants this to be a space where people with a shared love for coffee can connect and learn from one another.
A Little Less Competition, A Lot More Community
One of my favorite parts of sitting down with Nancy was hearing her talk about the other coffee shops in Fayetteville. With more cafés opening throughout Downtown, you might assume there's a sense of competition between businesses. But Nancy sees things a little differently.
"In reality, we're colleagues, especially those that are doing specialty coffee," she explained.
"I want to collaborate with them. I want us to sit together and build community, like, true community for the passion and love of coffee."
She even told me about a recent interaction with another local coffee shop owner. Within minutes of meeting, they were already connecting over their shared passion for coffee. Nancy ended up gifting him some specialty coffee from her personal collection. It was a small gesture, but I thought it said a lot about the kind of community she's hoping to build.
Photos taken by Nancy Ramos
Every coffee shop brings something different to the table. Some people love their coffee black, others want something sweet, and everyone has their favorite spot. But that doesn't mean there isn't room for everyone to thrive.
For Nancy, The Fifth Pour is an opportunity to get those businesses, baristas, and coffee lovers in the same room, not as competitors, but as people who genuinely enjoy what they do. And honestly, that's the kind of energy we love seeing in the Ville.
Five Years on Hay Street, Seven Years in the Making
As our conversation continued, I learned that Vagabond actually has two anniversaries.
The business itself recently celebrated seven years, having started as a mobile coffee shop. But November 5 marks five years since Nancy opened the doors to Vagabond Café's home at 108 Hay Street.
And those five years have been about much more than serving coffee. Nancy shared that while the mobile business focused on introducing specialty coffee and educating customers, having a physical location gave her the opportunity to create something she'd always wanted: a neighborhood gathering place. A space where artists can showcase their work, musicians can perform, local makers can sell their creations, and customers can become friends.
"I just kind of wanted to be, like, a neighborhood coffee shop where people can feel comfortable to have a place to go."
And I think that's what makes this anniversary celebration so fitting. Instead of simply celebrating the business, Nancy is celebrating the people who have helped make Vagabond what it is today.
She laughed about how many of her customers have become friends over the years and how she'd love to finally get everyone together in one room. People who visit at different times, who may have heard about each other but have never actually met. That, to me, is what makes a neighborhood coffee shop special. It's not just about what you're drinking. It's about the connections happening around you.
So, Who's Ready to Pour?
By the end of our conversation, one thing was clear: Nancy isn't just hoping to host a successful event. She's hoping to start something. Something that brings Fayetteville's coffee community closer, encourages collaboration, and maybe even becomes an annual tradition.
"I hope that we can do this annually and hopefully it gets bigger and bigger," she shared.
And why not? The Fifth Pour is a chance to experience something new, support local talent, and celebrate a business that has spent the last five years creating space for community in Downtown Fayetteville.
THE FIFTH POUR: LATTE ART THROWDOWN
Presented by Vagabond Café
Fayetteville's first latte art throwdown is going down Saturday, November 7! Sixteen competitors will go head-to-head in a bracket-style competition, pouring their best latte art before a panel of three judges until one champion remains. Come for the coffee, stay for the creativity, music, food, prizes, and community.
EVENT DETAILS
When: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Time: 5:00–8:00 PM
First Pour: 6:00 PM
Where: Vagabond Café, 108 Hay Street, Downtown Fayetteville
Competitors: 16 baristas
Participant Buy-In: $10
Spectators: FREE!
Sponsors:
Little Waves Coffee Roasters - Bringing specialty coffee expertise and support to our competition.
The Created Co. - Supporting the coffee community through thoughtfully designed drinkware.
Barista Magazine - Celebrating and connecting coffee professionals through storytelling and industry coverage.
Hugo Tea Company - Bringing its appreciation for craftsmanship and quality to our community of coffee lovers.
Pan Sandwiches - Bringing a taste of Downtown Fayetteville to the celebration.
Superior Bakery - A Fayetteville favorite that's been serving our community for generations!
Whether you're a professional barista, latte artist, or simply someone who loves practicing your pours, you're invited to compete! Early registration closes Wednesday, November 4, so secure your spot while you can. Register here.
Not competing? No worries!
Come through, grab a coffee, cheer on your favorite barista, and experience a first for Fayetteville's coffee community.
So whether you know your way around an espresso machine or you're just someone who enjoys a really good cup of coffee, consider this your invitation to come hang out.
We'll see you at Vagabond!
Christina Miles
Art Director + Admin Lead
FAYNC Magazine
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